XKO expands manufacturing remit with Control

XKO Group, the mid range general ERP software company, has acquired manufacturing and distribution ERP company Control for just £1.2 million. Combined turnover of the operation is now around £56 million with 500 people spread around the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. The acquisition, following on its earlier purchase of ISL, puts XKO in a position to expand its manufacturing industry footprint, currently at around 30% of sales. Alistair Blaxill, managing director, says he expects now to go into more vertical markets where the combination has most strength and experience. Control has a considerable customer base of around 75, including Dixons and Paxar, the European clothing labels manufacturer, as well as good SME manufacturing, warehousing and distribution management software. Blaxill says XKO will now work on integrating the software suites, using Control’s existing development facility in Chester, and develop the overall product range to include better supply chain management and RF technology. XKO has closed down Control’s sales office in Birmingham and is now doing the rounds of existing users on both sides, reassuring them of the ongoing development and support programmes and, of course, advising them of additional functionality now in the fold.